ESB 1: The First Five Minutes of Empire (Minutes 1-5)

Star Wars Music Minute

This episode is an introduction to the music of The Empire Strikes Back, with a special emphasis on minutes 1-5. Welcome to THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK SEASON of Star Wars Music Minute! 🎉 (No guest today; just Xanthe.)

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Hello there!
• 01:06 - References & resources
• 03:31 - Intro to THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
• 04:46 - Scoring process
• 08:52 - Recording process
• 22:50 - Soundtrack hullabaloo
• 30:14 - New musical themes
• 36:25 - ESB Minutes 1-5
• 1:07:47 - Season gameplan

References:

• Recording the Star Wars Saga - Analysis by Chris Malone (2005-2012): https://www.malonedigital.com/starwars.pdf
• John Williams BBC Documentary (1980) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBCF465B155E38603
• The Soundtrack Show: The Empire Strikes Back: the Music Part I: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-the-soundtrack-show-29021108/episode/the-empire-strikes-back-the-music-30719133/
• Art of the Score: The Empire Strikes Back -- Part 1: http://www.artofthescore.com.au/podcast/2019/5/23/episode-27-the-empire-strikes-back-part-1
• Art of the Score Episode 34: Studio Fanfares Part 1 - http://www.artofthescore.com.au/podcast/2021/7/25/episode-34-studio-fanfares-part-1
• The Empire Strikes Back Sound Design Explained by Ben Burtt (INDEPTH Sound Design) - https://youtu.be/VUeWJKwQwsE
• Photocopy of John Williams' Handwritten Sketch for the ESB "Finale" (Julien's Auctions page) - https://www.julienslive.com/lot-details/index/catalog/353/lot/141570
• Dominic Sewell's analysis of The Empire Strikes Back - 1m1 Fanfare and Main Title - https://youtu.be/0OHkY5wUJI8
• Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars (by Frank Lehman): https://franklehman.com/starwars/.
• 50 Hz Pilot Test Tone: https://youtu.be/bslHKEh7oZk

Musical Themes:

• 1a. Main Theme (A Section)
• 1b. Main Theme (B Section)
• 1) Starry Night Arpeggios
• 10a. Imperial March (Theme)
• 11a. Han & Leia (A Section)

Where are we in the soundtrack?:

• "20th Century Fox Fanfare"
• "Star Wars (Main Theme)"
• "Main Title/The Ice Planet Hoth"
• "The Imperial Probe/Aboard the Executor"
• "Arrival on Dagobah"

Cues:

• 1M1-1M2A "Main Title - The Imperial Probe - Part 1"

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